Tools to Navigate a VUCA World of Disruptive Change

Rich Batchelor

OverviewVUCA &

Disruptive Change

Definitions, Clarity and

Insights

Volatility Vulnerability Resilience

Uncertainty &

ComplexityDefinitions Lego Serious

Play Organizational

Agility

Ambiguity Definition Exploration Curiosity

Conclusion &

Assessments

Complexity Labs

VUCA & Disruptive Change

VUCA & Disruptive Change

VUCA is … Volatility Uncertainty Complexity Ambiguity

VUCA & Disruptive Change

Disruptive Change is …

INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 4.0RoboticsBig Data

Artificial IntelligenceNew Forms of Currency

Virtual RealityGenomics

Stem CellsBiotechnology

Nanotechnology3-D printing

VUCA & Disruptive Change

Discussion:

How do you feel about the 4th industrial revolution?

How is it impacting your life, work and the world around you?

How do you see it developing?

VUCA & Disruptive Change

VUCADISRUPTION

VUCA & Disruptive Change

VUCADISRUPTION

Volatility

Volatility

WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN SOMEONE OR

SOMETHING IS VOLATILE?

Volatility

Discussion:

What was the last volatile situation you experienced?

How did you handle it?

What was the outcome?

Volatility

Vulnerability

Volatility

Volatility & VulnerabilityBrené Brown -Embracing Vulnerability

Volatility & Vulnerability

Being at peace with vulnerability requires:

Bravery

Stress management

Resourcefulness

Emotional Plasticity

RESILIENCEOxford English Dictionary Defines Resilience:The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughnessThe ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity

• Just how resilient are you? An exercise in self awareness.

How Resilient Are You?

Activity Time

Uncertainty and Complexity

Uncertainty

What is uncertain for you, today, tomorrow, always?

Complexity

What is complex to you?

Complexity & the Cynefin Framework

What is the difference between complex and complicated?

Can you think of examples that explain the difference between each

The Cynefin framework is a conceptual framework used to aid decision-making. Created in 1999 by Dave Snowden when he worked for IBM Global Services, it has been described as a "sense-making device.

Cynefin is a Welsh word for habitat.

Complexity & Uncertainty

COMPLEXITY UNCERTAINTY

Complexity & Uncertainty

CAUSE EFFECT

Complexity & Uncertainty

Business Agility

Complexity & Uncertainty

Let’s explore Complexity and Uncertainty and the benefits of business and organizational agility.

Ambiguity

Ambiguity

What does ambiguity mean to you?

What are your thoughts when you hear that a situation is ambiguous?

What do you think?

What do you feel?

Ambiguity

Words associated with ambiguity:

Doubtful

Dubious

Unclear

Indefinite

Unsure

Open to interpretation

Multiple interpretations

Ambiguity & Curiosity

Navigating Ambiguous situations with Curiosity …

"Curiosity... is insubordination in it's purest form.”- Vladamir Nabakov -

Childhood Curiosity

The Collapse of Curiosity

Curiosity is Following Quest-ions

“The important thingis not to stop questioning… Never lose

a holy curiosity.“

Albert Einstein

Curiosity

How Curious are you? Where is your Curiosity Focus?

Activity Time

Curiosity

What’s your preference? Challenger Sage Explorer

Where a score is below 5 there is a developmental opportunity and activities should be developed to strengthen this segment.

Curiosity – Your Preference

SEGMENT C is the CHALLENGER role in curiosity.

The Challenger questions a situation, or a person within a situation, to discover cause, effect and opportunities.

Someone with this strength is often able to get to the root cause of a challenging situation, or discover a fresh and new approach, through a small number of focused questions. In extreme situations this person is never accepting anything, but challenging everything, with continuous questioning. The constant question “why?” is reflective of this person’s style and strength.

When looking to develop this segment, individuals need to improve communication skills, develop open questioning techniques and learn to reflect on a situation in the form of questions.

Curiosity – Your Preference

SEGMENT S is the SAGE, anchored in knowledge and understanding of the power of curiosity.

The Sage uses their strength to analyze a situation and draw out the key factors of a challenge to achieve a successful outcome. They readily see problems as challenges to overcome.

Someone with this strength will illuminate a situation and facilitate others to achieve a desired outcome. They have an ability to analyze complex situations and find the core of the challenge to focus on, by themselves or with others. Their curiosity is not always obvious and in the extreme it can be perceived as introversion or aloofness.

Developing this segment is achieved through education and experience. A willingness to be exposed to new and different situations, to learn from the diversity of the community or stakeholders they engage with, will develop the greater understanding and wisdom of the Sage.

Curiosity – Your Preference

SEGMENT E, the EXPLORER– is constantly seeking new adventures in curiosity.

The explorer is always searching for opportunities to apply curiosity, discovering new spaces and finding new groups of people. They thrive in disruption, change and the VUCA world.

Someone with this strength is never afraid to jump into the new, find out what is possible and see ways to embrace something different. They can see multiple pathways where others see just one, with a balance of logic and emotional drive to focus on their end goals. In the extreme, Explorers may seem impulsive, jumping in with an apparent lack of consideration for the consequences, running before they walk, or encouraging disruption for the sake of it, rather than the betterment of a situation.

Developing this area, requires change acceptance, building confidence, strength and resilience, as well as learning how to explore the unknown.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Disruptive Change is …

Conclusion

Disruptive Change is …

Conclusion

VUCA

Tools

• Volatility• Uncertainty• Complexity• Ambiguity

• Resilience• Curiosity• Agility• Lego Serious Play®